Ireland Women may have received the warmest of welcomes to Pakistan for their historic tour but no mercy was shown by the hosts in the first one-day international in Lahore yesterday.

 

Following an opening stand of 221, Pakistan finished on 335 for three and when Ireland lost their top three batters, including Amy Hunter for eight, with just 34 runs on the board, the result of their first ICC World Championship match was never in doubt.

 

Skipper Laura Delany put up some resistance with 69 in a stay of 31 overs but Ireland never threatened the total and were bowled out in the last over for 207.

 

Sidra Riaz, with her third ODI century – comfortably her highest - and Muneeba Ali with her first ensured that it was the 36^th over before Eimear Richardson took Ireland’s first wicket of the match and although Arlene Kelly picked up two more in her final two overs, Amin was the immovable object, finishing 176 not out, the highest score by a Pakistan woman.

 

Orla Prendergast was declared fit to open the bowling, although after a three-over spell she returned for only one more. Fellow new ball bowler Jane Maguire was the most economical (0-47 rom her 10 overs) while she received good support from Kelly and skipper Laura Delany.

 

It was a tough introduction for the slow bowlers, however, with Cara Murray’s seven overs going for 49 and Leah Paul’s two for 33.

 

The second ODI is tomorrow with another 4.30am start (GMT)

 

Scores: Pakistan 335-3 (50 overs, Sidra Amin 176, Muneeba Ali 107; A Kelly 2-62, E Richardson 1-55) Ireland 207 (49.3 overs, L Delany 69, O Prendergast 29, R Delaney 22 not out, M Waldron 19, G Lewis 15, A Kelly 12; Nida Dar 3-34). Pakistan won by 128 runs.